The trading company "Rijeka 2020" Ltd. and the University of Rijeka are set to collaborate in implementing the project "European Capital of Culture 2020" and in the organization, preparation and carrying out the Rijeka European Capital of Culture 2020 Programme, whose main framework is the City of Rijeka Application Book for the ECC 2020.

The parties/signers of the agreement are: the director of the Company Ivana Kregar Šegota, the City of Rijeka Mayor Vojko Obersnel, M. Sc., the president of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Zlatko Komadina and the University of Rijeka Rector Professor Pero Lučin, M.D., Ph.D.

Along with the Agreement signatories, the ceremony was attended by the Head of the City of Rijeka Department of Culture Ivan Šarar, the Head of the Department for Culture, Sport and Technical Culture of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Valerij Jurešić, the president of the University of Rijeka Programme Council "Rijeka ECC 2020“ and the Vice-Rector for Studies and Students – Professor Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Ph.D., as well as the members of the Council: the Vice-Rector for Investments and Development, Professor Nevenka Ožanić, Ph.D., the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Ines Srdoč Konestra, Ph.D., the Dean of the Academy of Applied Arts, Professor Letricija Linardić, the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management Opatija, Professor Dora Smolčić Jurdana, Ph.D., the Head of the Univeristy of Rijeka Department of Physics, Professor Rajka Jurdana Šepić, Ph.D., the Principal of the University Library Rijeka Senka Tomljanović, the Director of the Student Centre Rijeka Dinko Jurjević, the Head of the University of Rijeka Student Cultural Centre Zoran Baljak and Ivana Golob from the UNIRI Centre for Industrial Heritage and other members of the University Senate.

In his welcoming speech, the Rector Lučin expressed gratitude to all partners, as well as to all those who will participate in this project which is of great importance for the University of Rijeka, the City of Rijeka and Rijeka’s region. He also emphasized the importance of togetherness and collaborative behaviour in carrying out all ECC 2020 projects and programmes.

The President of the County Komadina pointed out that it is required to render useful all available and make new creative capital.

The City Mayor Obersnel expressed the desire for Rijeka to remain recognizable as a City of Culture even after the project is implemented and after the year 2020.
The director Kregar Šegota warned that the first monitoring from European commission ought to be carried out already at the beginning of next year. She also emphasized excellent cooperation with the University of Rijeka in former projects.

The Vice-Rector Prijić Samaržija said that this Agreement is an umbrella document and after it numerous contracts will follow which will be concluded in various collaborations. “The synergy of this impulse is of great importance and we have the chance and privilege to use it to rethink about our identity, the identity of our city, county and university”, concluded Prijić.